Minister Visits Hub Of Waterway Renaissance In Wales

17 November 2008

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones met with senior British Waterways (BW) officials to discuss the future of waterways in Wales – including the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, now well on course to be fully re-opened for the new visitor season in 2009.

Mr Jones was briefed about progress on the waterways of Wales – and the challenges they face – when he visited the canalside Govilon office on Thursday 13 November.

British Waterways Wales & Border Counties General Manager, Julie Sharman briefed the Minister on how:

• BW has invested £7.5m to repair the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and is seeking third party investment to secure its future;
• The waterways of Wales generate over £33m annually in visitor spend for an outlay of just £3m;
• Active partnerships are being developed through the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure the canals and rivers of Wales realise their full potential;
• The impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal is in the final phase of its bid for World Heritage Site status.

Alun Ffred Jones, the Minister for Heritage said: “British Waterways has made very good progress with the repair work of the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal and I look forward to end results. These canals are living relics of the industrial heritage and history of the past, and provide a fascinating journey through an area rich with wildlife and nature.

“I am impressed that British Waterways is doing so much to preserve and restore these waterways, so they can be shared and enjoyed by visitors and tourists."